Get fired up for the hot season! Summer songs recommended for Gen Z

Roco LotionORANGE RANGE

ORANGE RANGE Locolotion VC HD

A feel-good party tune from Okinawa-born ORANGE RANGE! Just listening to it conjures up scenes of goofing around with friends under the blazing sun, and you can’t help but start moving your body.

This track is ORANGE RANGE’s sixth single, released in June 2004, and it became widely known as the song for Otsuka Beverage’s “MATCH” commercial.

It’s actually a cover of Little Eva’s “The Loco-Motion.” Put it on at the beach or while driving in the summer with friends or someone you like, and you’re sure to make the best memories! It’s the perfect song for anyone whose heart is fluttering at the start of a romance or who wants to make the most of summer.

Full driveKANA-BOON

KANA-BOON “Full Drive” Music Video

This track features a four-on-the-floor beat around 180 BPM and a melody full of exhilarating drive.

Released in May 2014, it’s also included on KANA-BOON’s second album, TIME.

Created with the idea of crafting a song with a powerful first impact that would be embraced by more listeners, as envisioned by Maguro Taniguchi, it reached as high as No.

6 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Bursting with energetic rock sound, it’s perfect for drives or anyone looking to amp up their summer.

The high-speed melody delivers a rush like stepping on the accelerator, so give it a listen whenever you want to boost your mood!

Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN “Sugar Song and Bitter Step” MV

This is a compelling track featuring a breezy pop-rock sound and abstract lyrics.

The song’s words portray the chaos of modern society and depict the complexity of life through a contrast between sweetness and bitterness.

Released in May 2015, it gained popularity as the ending theme for the TV anime Blood Blockade Battlefront.

It debuted at No.

5 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and has become one of UNISON SQUARE GARDEN’s signature songs.

Recommended for those who want to get hyped at summer festivals or seek deep messages in catchy melodies.

Its uptempo rhythm perfectly matches the liberating feel of summer, making it an ideal song for summer drives or outdoor BGM.

Bitter VacationMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Bitter Vacation” Official Music Video

A heartwarming song that stands by the modern person living through suffocating days.

Created by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE as the theme song for the film “Saint☆Young Men THE MOVIE: Holy Men VS The Demon Army” in November 2024, this piece gently speaks to the importance of taking a break amid busy days.

Much like Jesus and Buddha in the film, it illustrates the beauty of loosening your shoulders and living at ease, set to a pop melody.

It’s a song that resonates deeply—not only for those worn out from constantly pushing themselves, but especially for those who tend to be consumed by the hardships right in front of them.

Naughty Sunorenji renji

ORANGE RANGE “Ikenai Taiyō” Music Video

A youthful pop tune that vividly portrays a passionate summer romance.

ORANGE RANGE’s playful spirit blends with a mixture-rock sound to boldly depict an adult love affair.

Set to a melody with a retro vibe, the lyrics skillfully capture the push-and-pull between reason and desire.

Released in July 2007, the song was used as the opening theme for the Fuji TV drama “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~Ikemen Paradise~” and was also included on the album “PANIC FANCY.” It’s the perfect track for belting out at karaoke or for marking a page of youth on a hot summer day.

Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya

Where Our Blue Is / Tatsuya Kitani

This song paints memories of youth that are as refreshing and bittersweet as a summer sky.

Tatsuya Kitani released it in July 2023.

It was chosen as the opening theme for Season 2 of the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen and received a Special Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards.

The cool, refreshing melody and lyrics that weave together the pure relationships unique to adolescence, along with regret and a sense of loss, vividly awaken memories everyone has experienced.

It’s a perfect song to sing in an air-conditioned karaoke room on a hot summer day while reminiscing about the past.

All of the YouthFujifaburikku

Fujifabric – Youth of Everything

This is a memorable masterpiece distinguished by a gentle melody that embraces the poignant scenes of late summer and the fleeting nature of youth.

Set against fireworks and dusk, it depicts the intertwining feelings of wanting to treasure this moment and the anxiety toward a changing future.

Seamlessly harmonizing Fujifabric’s beautiful musicality with the delicate worldview of its lyrics, the song was released in November 2007 as their 10th single and served as the lead single for the album “TEENAGER.” It was also featured as the opening theme for Nippon TV’s “Onmoe!” and as an insert song in Fuji TV’s 2013 drama “SUMMER NUDE,” captivating the hearts of many.

It’s a track you’ll want to listen to on nights when you wish to immerse yourself in precious memories, or when you need a gentle push before taking a new step forward.